Autophagy Signaling in Prostate Cancer: Identification of a Novel Phosphatase

Abstract

Phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate (PI(3)P) is concentrated on autophagic vesicles and recruits effector proteins critical for this process. The production of PI(3)P by the class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Vps34, has been well established; however, phosphatases which antagonize this early step in autophagy are not clear. To identify such enzymes, we screened human phosphatase genes by RNA interference (RNAi) and found that loss of PTPsigma, a dual-domain protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP), increases cellular PI(3)P. Accordingly, we discovered that loss of PTPsigma hyperactivates both constitutive and induced autophagy. Finally, we found that PTPsigma localizes to PI(3)P-positive membranes in cells and this vesicular localization is enhanced during autophagy. Our findings propose a novel role for PTPsigma and provide insight into the regulation of autophagy. Mechanistic knowledge of this process is critical for understanding and targeting therapies for several human diseases, including prostate cancer, in which abnormal autophagy may be pathological.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Aug 01, 2011
Accession Number
ADA549765

Entities

People

  • Jeffrey P. Mackeigan

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acids
  • Amino Acids
  • Autophagy
  • Blood
  • Cell Physiological Processes
  • Cells
  • Chemical Compounds
  • Chemistry
  • Confocal Microscopy
  • Electron Microscopy
  • Materials
  • Microscopes
  • Microscopy
  • Neoplasms
  • Prostate Cancer
  • Proteins
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Breast cancer cell signaling and growth regulation.
  • Molecular Genetics
  • Molecular and Cellular Biology